Unfortunately, I can't be of help , though I've visited Budapest
about 10 times in the 90', and I was born and lived in Bucharest the first 12 years of my life ( and went back for a two days visit in 79').
In Budapest you'll find many good restaurants, one of them, if still there , is the famous Gundel, where even in th 90' I couldn't afford . It's an institution, and probably quite expensive. Traditional hungarian food is on the heavy side, but very tasty.
As for Bucharest, I hope you'll enjoy the food; ask for real romanian restaurants, not for the fancy french/italian ones. Eat the "mititei", the national kebab style patties, have a good "mamaliga" ( polenta) with "Sarmale"( stuffed cabbage leaves ), try some good steaks, grilled "everything" ( kidneys, brains, sweetbreads, marrow etc), and the wine is good too. I've heard that my childhood conditory - CAPSHA- is reopened and still has wonderful cakes. My preferate were the "Kataif" which is a hybrid turkish/austrian cake: stiff whipped cream austrian style in betweek two kataif(sweetened baked fine turkish vermicelli)leaves. Or the wonderful "Bibescu", a three layered cake, composed of a square of high quality chocolate sponge cake, topped with a layer of chocolate butter cream , on top of which a high tower of whipped cream raises in magestic glory! Try also a "Joffra" , a chocolate covered tube of about 8 cm, filled with melting in the mouth chocolate ganache. Oh, yes, ask also for a "Sarailie" , a baklawa style turkish sweet. Writing you, brings back to me wonderful childhood memories.
I've heard that good cakes can be found also at what is today the Hilton Hotel, former the Athenee Palace Hotel, where I used to go with my mother for afternoon "coffe and cake" when a child. Cofee is of course "turkish coffee". Romanian food is a successful mixture of two cuisines: turkish ( 300 years of occupation) and Austrian ( Romania was part of the Austro-hungarian Empire). Most of the savoury food is turkish oriented ( grilled meat, stuffed vegetables, mussaka) , while most of the sweets are Austrian , with lots of chocolat, cream, whipped cream etc.
Actually, we plan a trip to Romania with ou grandchildren sometimes next year. I'll ask you for good retaurant addresses...
Have a wonderful holiday
P.S.
Don't miss the renewed Great Synagogue in Bucharest and the marvellous Sephardic Synagogue in Budapest which was renewed ( or so I've heard) with the help of actor Tony Curtis .
Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 583 Location: Anniston Alabama USA
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject:
I spent a couple months over three trips in Budapest in 2003. No restaurant recommendations from me, of course (and no I didn't try and get the hotel restaurant to cook my "gruel"; though I did make great dinners out of their wonderful fresh-baked bread in the grocery stores).
My main recommendation: Budapest Opera, located near the Franz Listz academy. You could get tickets for about $8 USD. _________________ ' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'
Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 456 Location: california
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:40 am Post subject:
Creampuff, do partake of the wonderful Hungarian palachintas, a crepe-type pancake traditionally filled with cottage cheese but often found for dessert with chocolate and whipped cream or fruit filling.
My grandparents were Slavic, but their part of the world was Austria-Hungary when they were born there. My best friend (whose background is Hungarian) and I are often startled to learn how many foods we had in common as youngsters. The cuisine can be on the heavy side, as much Central and Eastern European food can be, but it's very good.
I second Sarape's (yes, welcome back!) recommendation to check out the Opera House. It is beautiful (Hungarians will proudly tell you that it's comparable to Vienna's) and performances are affordable. If there are no performances scheduled while you are there, at least take a tour. It's an hour well spent.
I spent a week in Budapest a few years ago. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Have a wonderful trip!
Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 583 Location: Anniston Alabama USA
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the welcome back. I have been fine but not spending much time on line. Life is still the same: garden is doing great this year, still making my oats-corn-meal-rice-potato gruel mush.
Am I looking for a job. I have finished all my home and garden projects in the past 18 months since my "retirement". Now I would like to teach high school science or math, or I would like to work for a politician (science and energy and technology advisor), or I would like to get into stock analysis and work for a broker or bank or investment house. _________________ ' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'
Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 583 Location: Anniston Alabama USA
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject:
I'm sure I'd be a tough task master and either the students would revolt, or they would run me out. I would likely be a good teacher -- I think. But, I also know that the students would need my motivation. I'm naturally curious; I have to remember that that's not the norm.
Alabama has a statehouse controlled by Democrats. And Alabama has donated more money to Democrats so far this election season. John Edwards leads in Alabama. _________________ ' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'
Well hooray for 'sweet home Alabama' ..! I *do* like the Democrats.
I can't think what it is now, but there is a Judy Garland lyric that rhymes "honey lamb" with " Alabam' " ? -- very good to listen to..
My dad taught junior high science after a career as a US naval officer. I do not think his authoritarian ways were embraced by 14 year olds in the San Fernando Valley of California in the 1970s.
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